LRN PM Newscall June 12

Lousiana Senator Bill Cassidy is not a big fan of the defund police movement. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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In addition to Middleton Library, there’s now a movement to rename more buildings on LSU’s campus Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

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Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says the death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis Police Officers should not have occurred, but calls defunding police a stupid idea. Cassidy says cutting law enforcement budgets will only help criminals.

Cut 3 (11)  “…fund the police”  

Cassidy says the focus should be on police reform and also allocating more dollars towards mental health programs so that officers have fewer encounters with mentally ill individuals. But he admits this is not an overnight solution…

Cut 4 (11)_ “…are treated”

Senate Democrats have proposed a National Police Misconduct Registry as a way to prevent problematic officers from getting hired at another police force. Cassidy says a similar system is already in place for physicians, so a registry for police officers could work if there’s due process…

Cut 5 (06)  “…of another.”

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A long-standing Mardi Gras tradition is being canceled in 2021 due to COVID-19.  Senior Lieutenant with Mystick Krewe of Louisianians Tyron Picard says the Washington DC Mardi Gras will not be taking place next January.

Cut 6 (09) “…room by January.”

The event features Louisiana’s biggest movers and shakers in D.C. for three days of politicking and celebrations.  More than 2,000 people from Louisiana attend the four-day event in the nation’s capital.  Picard says the 76-year event has only seen cancellations three other times.

Cut 7 (09) “…and storied tradition.”

The event started off as just a cocktail party and a way for the Louisianan congressional delegation to celebrate Mardi Gras away from the Bayou State.  Picard says while it is disappointing to see the event be canceled, the focus now shifts to 2022.

Cut 8 (08) “…very safe fashion.”

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A proposal is in the works to rename LSU’s Middleton Library and there is also a movement to rename eleven more buildings on campus.  President of LSU College Dems Daniel Carpenter says there are buildings named after Confederate soldiers…

Cut 9 (11) “…why that is.”

The organization posted a press release on its Twitter page with suggestions of whom the buildings should be named after, as opposed to those with confederate or racists backgrounds.

Cut 10 (10) “…culture of campus.”

Carpenter says it is time for LSU to make the campus more welcoming and open, especially for black students.

Cut 11 (08) “…as a slave.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he supports the renaming Middleton Library. The Middleton family issued a statement opposing the name change and referred to their ancestor General Troy Middleton as a war hero and a Louisiana icon.

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Iconic French Quarter bars are set to reopen at 25 percent capacity Saturday as New Orleans enters Phase Two.

This veteran French Quarter bartender says while some bars will open for the first time, many have been slinging drinks since Phase One…

Cut 12 (08) “man”

Bars with Department of Health food service certifications have been allowed to operate as restaurants, which have a 50 percent capacity limit at the moment.

The COVID shutdown has been devastating to service industry employees, but this Bourbon Street pro says reopening establishments at a quarter capacity does them no favors…

Cut 13 (06) “…living”  

That bartender says patrons must observe strict social distancing and must wear masks while inside bars or we could see super spreading incidents like have happened in other countries.

Cut 14 (07) “…careful”

Phase Two requires patrons to space out six feet away from other groups and calls for setting up tables for patrons to be served at like a restaurant.

1:30 LRN Newscast June 12

Governor Edwards says he supports renaming LSU’s Middleton Library and there’s a push to rename eleven other buildings on campus. Middleton has been described as a segregationist and President of LSU College Dems Daniel Carpenter says buildings named after Confederate soldiers should be changed
Cut 9 (11) “…why that is.”

In the U-S Senate, Democrats have proposed a National Police Misconduct Registry as a way to prevent problematic officers from getting hired at another police force. Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says a similar system is already in place for physicians, so a registry for police officers could work…
Cut 5 (06) “…of another.”
Cassidy says he opposes the idea of defunding police.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is encouraging residents to participate in their free fishing weekend…
cut 2 (29) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

If you are waiting on a Louisiana Pandemic EBT card look for a white envelope with an Austin, Texas return address…
cut 13 (05) “….money inside”
That’s state Department of Education spokesperson Sydni Dunn, who says the deadline to apply for a Pandemic EBT card is Monday. It’s for families who have children that receive free or reduced-price meals at school. For more info, go to louisiana-believes-dot-com.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The son of former LSU quarterback Jamie Howard, Walker Howard, has announced he plans to follow in his father’s footsteps and play for the Tigers. Howard is getting ready for his junior season at St. Thomas More High School. 24-7 sports ranks Howard as the third-best pro-style quarterback in the nation for the class of 2022.

Two LSU Tigers were selected in the second round of the Major League Baseball draft last night. The World Series Champion Washington Nationals used the 55th overall pick to select right-handed pitcher Cole Henry, while the Detroit Tigers took outfielder Daniel Cabrera with the 62nd pick. Both are expected to sign with their professional teams.

Also last night, Baltimore drafted Tulane outfielder Hudson Haskin early in the second round. In the fifth round. Pittsburgh picked Northwestern State right-hander Logan Hoffman and Ragin Cajuns shortstop Hayden Cantrelle was selected by the Brewers.

10:30 LRN Newscasts June 12

Several people are reportedly dead including children from a murder-suicide at the Parkview Apartments in Monroe. Police have not released many details. Interim Police Chief Reggie Brown says a mother suffering from mental illness shot several of her young kids and then turned the gun on her self. No word on many people died.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is encouraging residents to participate in their free fishing weekend…
ut 2 (29) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

Families who have children who qualify for free or reduced-priced meals during the school have until Monday at 4:30 to apply for a Pandemic E-B-T card that’s worth 285-dollars per child. Louisiana Department of Education Spokesperson Sydni Dunn says applications have been received on behalf of about 450-thousand eligible children…
cut 15 (09) “…700-thousand children’
That means parents for about 180-thousand children in the state have yet to qualify.

July 1st is the deadline for high school grads to complete their FAFSA forms in order to avoid a delay in processing TOPS eligibility. The COVID disruption has some students contemplating sitting out the fall semester. But LOFSA executive director Sujuan Boutte says if you do, still turn in your FAFSA form in case you change your mind….
cut 12 (11) “,…gone”

9:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana’s television and film industry has felt the impact of COVID-19, but when will it start to come back? Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Boyd Gaming is laying off a reported 15-hundred workers at their five casino properties in Louisiana. The five locations are Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino in Shreveport, Treasure Chest in Kenner, Amelia Belle in St. Mary Parish, Delta Downs in Vinton and Evangeline Downs Racetrack. These locations lost an estimated 70-million dollars in March and April.

Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says the death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis Police Officers should not have occurred, but defunding police is not the answer to fighting police abuse. Cassidy says cutting law enforcement budgets will only help criminals…
cut 3 (11) “…fund the police”
Cassidy says the focus should be on police reform and the G-O-P plans could be unveiled next week.

LOSFA is processing 2020 high school graduates TOPS eligibility and in order to avoid any delay they are asking grads to complete their FAFSA forms by July 1st. LOFSA Executive Director Sujuan Boutte says students should also set up a Student Hub account to track their TOPS status…
Cut 10 (13) “…study.”
For more information go to my-los-fa-dot-la-dot-gov.

8:30 LRN Newscast June 12

There’s little chance for rain this weekend, which makes it a perfect weekend to go fishing. And this weekend, a fishing license is not required, so anyone can drop a line in the water. With many families looking for safe outdoor activities during the COVID pandemic, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Ed Pratt says their Free Fishing Weekend is the ideal opportunity….
cut 9 (09) “….the virus”

The state reported 19 more COVID-19 deaths yesterday, bringing the state’s death toll to 2,874. Cameron, Tensas, Sabine, LaSalle and East Carroll are among the parishes that have yet to report a COVID-19 death.

We are waiting more information from the Monroe Police Department on a murder-suicide involving a mother and multiple children at the Parkview Apartment complex. The number of people shot and fatalities is unknown.

The FAFSA priority deadline for 2020 high school grads is fast approaching…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

If you are waiting on a Louisiana Pandemic EBT card look for a white envelope with an Austin, Texas return address…
cut 13 (05) “….money inside”
That’s state Department of Education spokesperson Sydni Dunn, who says the deadline to apply for a Pandemic EBT card is Monday. It’s for families who have children who normally get free or reduced-price meals at school. For more info, go to louisiana-believes-dot-com.

7:30 LRN Newscast June 12

There’s a troubling story out of Monroe today as police there say they are investigating a murder-suicide involving children. Investigators say a mother shot a number of children at an apartment complex and then turned the gun on herself. Authorities have not said how many children were shot.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is encouraging residents to participate in their free fishing weekend…
cut 2 (29) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

COVID-19 has put the brakes on television and film productions in Louisiana, but the industry is preparing to get back to work soon. Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment Chris Stelly anticipates cameras will roll again in July or August.
Cut 4 (08) “…them in reentry.”
There is some uncertainty as to how quickly the industry will come back and at what volume.

The House Ways and Means Committee has approved an eight percent tax on online fantasy sports contests, which is in line with what other states charge. Crowley Representative John Stefanski says the estimated tax revenue is 365-thousand dollars and the money will go towards early childhood education…
cut 17 (07) “….forward”
In 2018, voters in 47 parishes approved the legalization of playing online fantasy sports and if this tax bill passes, it could be up and running in those parishes in time for the football season.

6:45 LRN Sportscast June 12

Two LSU Tigers were selected in the second round of the Major League Baseball draft last night. The World Series Champion Washington Nationals used the 55th overall pick to select right-handed pitcher Cole Henry, while the Detroit Tigers took outfielder Daniel Cabrera with the 62nd pick. Both are expected to sign with their professional teams and not return to LSU.

Also last night, Baltimore drafted Tulane outfielder Hudson Haskin early in the second round. In the fifth round. Pittsburgh picked Northwestern State right-hander Logan Hoffman and Ragin Cajuns shortstop Hayden Cantrelle was selected by the Brewers.

In college football, the NCAA is finalizing a plan that would allow college football teams to begin an extended preseason on July 24th. Starting on July 24th, coaches would be able to have two weeks of walkthroughs.

The NFL is committing 250-million dollars to social justice reform.

Legislation creating the framework to tax online fantasy sports passes a House committee and is headed to the House floor. The bill sets an eight percent tax rate on net revenue for the activity and mandates those funds must be spent on early childhood education. New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes applauds it.
Cut 16 (07) our state”
47 parishes approved cash prize based online fantasy sports gaming, an activity that is mostly limited to the sites DraftKings and FanDuel and if the tax plan passes in the special session, it could be up and running in time for the football season.

On Saturday and Sunday, you can fish in Louisiana without a license. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Ed Pratt says they’ve seen an uptick in fishing since the COVID-19 pandemic, so he reminds anglers to keep their groups to ten people or less.

6:30 LRN newscast June 12

Just like with so many other things during the COVID-19 pandemic, TV and movie production in Louisiana has been put on hold. But Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment Chris Stelly says production companies are planning to get cameras rolling again in July or August…
cut 5 (07) “….in the state”

The deadline to apply for the Pandemic E-B-T program is Monday at 4:30 PM. Louisiana Department of Education spokesperson Sydni Dunn says families with students who qualify for free or reduced prices meals at their respective schools are eligible for a 285-dollar per child E-B-T debit card…
cut 14 (11) “…those benefits
The debit cards will arrive in a plain white envelope so don’t throw it out.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is encouraging you to grab a pole and take part in their annual Free Fishing Weekend this Saturday and Sunday. That means you do not need a license to fish. LDWF spokesperson Ed Pratt says it is the perfect time for experienced anglers to introduce the sport to a novice.
Cut 7 (12) “…out there too.”

A 43-year-old Lafourche Parish man has died while trying to save his six-year-old son that got caught up in the undertow at Grand Isle beach. The child was rescued but Christopher Boudreaux is the sixth person in the last six weeks to drown at Grand Isle.

4:45 LRN Sportscast June 11

By tomorrow, LSU executive deputy athletic director Verge Ausberry expects every member of the football team will be registered to vote. Ausberry says it’s something the players wanted to do in response to the recent events in our country, but he says the school will not influence the decisions the student-athletes make….
cut 15 (06) “…to vote for”

The Major League Baseball draft continues tonight with rounds two through five. So far the only player taken with a tie to Louisiana is catcher Drew Romo from the Woodlands, Texas. The LSU recruit was selected by Colorado and is expected to sign with the Rockies.

The NCAA will allow college baseball teams to have rosters that are larger than the current maximum of 35 in 2021. But schools will still have just 11.7 scholarships to hand out.

Boyd Gaming has alerted the Louisiana Workforce Commission that it’s laying off 25 to 60-percent of their employees at Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino in Opelousas. The U-S-A Today Network reports the exact number is 246 workers. They are among the 15-hundred that Boyd is laying off at their casino properties in Louisiana because of a significant loss in revenue due to COVID-19.

ESPN is reporting there are a faction of NBA players who are hesitant about restarting the season in a bubble environment in Orlando. One of the provisions is no visitors until after the first round of the playoffs that means nearly seven weeks after reporting for a mid-July training camp. It’s also been reported the NBA plans to resume games on July 30th, instead of July 31st.

Notre Dame catcher Maci Bergeron has been named the 2020 Gatorade Louisiana Softball Player of the Year. The sophomore hit 12 home runs in 12 games before COVID-19 ended her season.